Bacterial STIs

Chlamydia is the most commonly transmitted bacterial STI, and it can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, and throat. It is passed through semen and vaginal fluids that are carrying the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia can be spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or through sharing toys that were not properly washed in between uses, or covered with a new condom. It is important to note that it is transmittable through any touching of genitals, so transmission while frotting is a possibility.

Many people with chlamydia do not have any symptoms, but symptoms can include a white, yellow, or green vaginal discharge, pain or burning during urination, pain during intercourse, abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. It is easily diagnosed through a urine or swab test and can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancies, eye infections, and an increased risk of HIV infection.

Chlamydia is more common in young adults, especially young women. There were an estimated 128.5 million new chlamydia infections globally in 2020, with around 1.6 million in the United States.

Gonorrhea is another bacterial STI that can also infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, and throat through contact with semen and vaginal fluids. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and can be treated with antibiotics. It is possible to be infected with gonorrhea and have no symptoms. When symptoms are present they appear as painful urination, discharge from the penis or vaginal, swelling of the testicles, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding between menstrual cycles, painful bowel movements, discharge from the anus, sore throat, and fever, depending on the location of the infection.

If untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, arthritis, and blood infections. It has an incubation period between 2 to 14 days. While the infection is diagnosable with a lab test and treated with antibiotics, it is becoming more difficult to treat as more drug-resistant strains are increasing.

Gonorrhea is the second most common STI in the world, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating 82.4 million new cases among adults aged 15 to 49. While the CDC estimates more than 700,000 new cases each year, about half that number of infections are actually reported.